When it is time for your children to start their formal education, the obvious option is to send them to school. Indeed, some parents can’t wait to get them out of the door! However, a formal institution isn’t always the best idea. Sometimes, it is a place where overcrowding and a lack of resources can affect your child’s education. Not to mention there is the taboo of bullying and social integration. It isn’t a popular choice in the UK, but homeschooling is an option for parents that want to bridge the gap. After all, it is a familiar and safe environment that encourages one-on-one interaction.
The only problem is you don’t know how to make it a success. Thankfully, you can do so if you continue reading this. Here are the basics every parent must know before homeschooling their children.
Understand Student/Teacher Dynamics
The biggest mistake that mums and dads make is to assume they know their children better than anyone. As a result, it is tempting to think that you know how to handle your kids in a classroom environment. Sorry, but that isn’t the case. Boys and girls are different in school than they are at home, and that is a fact. So, they react differently to what you’re sued to. To handle this change, it’s vital that you attempt to understand what makes a good educator. The good news is that you can find an early childhood development degree online and enrol. An online course like this will teach you the subtleties of handling kids even if you are an experienced mum or dad.
Reinforce Connection
You may think that this refers to the relationship between you and the kids but that isn’t the case. Just as importantly in this day and age is the internet connection. Simply put, working from textbooks isn’t the norm any longer for a variety of reasons. The main one is that using technology is an excellent way to engage students and keep school fun. However, no one will be able to use their iPad if the internet is unstable. The more it cuts out, the more it ruins your children’s education. So, only the best should do. At the very least you need to call your provider and research what they offer.
Keep Lessons Short & Sweet
Lots of establishments are bound by their local authority and the inevitable politics that follow. You are not the same because you are in control. Therefore, it is important to rethink the general policies that come with policing your children’s minds. The length of study is a prime example. Most schools set it at an hour, yet research shows kids lose focus after forty minutes. With this info, you can use it for the betterment of your children. By maintaining forty-minute lessons, it is possible to maximise the process and keep them engaged. All you have to do is intersperse study time with short breaks.
Interact With Other Homeschoolers
One of the negatives of keeping your kids at home is the lack of interaction with their peers. Even though there is an argument against this, it is vital that they maintain a healthy mix of work and play. Otherwise, they could lose their innocence all because they didn’t go to a public establishment. To combat this, you can get in contact with other parents that homeschool. That way, both sets of kids can bond and interact and learn together — negating the lack of social interaction. Of course, taking on more children is hard work, which is why both parents need to work together. If both are in the room and on the same page, everything should run smoothly. At least, that is the hope!
Be Flexible
Far too many people think that one option is better than the other and stick to it religiously. Well, this isn’t the way to go because it isn’t about you or your ego. It is about the kids, and you will do well to keep that in mind. At the end of the day, every parent wants to do what is best for their children. So, if homeschooling isn’t working, it is time to think of the alternative and send them to a regular school. Or, the kids may be pressuring you because they want to mix with their friends. Sometimes, what is best for them isn’t always what you imagine. As such, flexibility and the ability to know when you are wrong are essential.
If you follow these tips, homeschooling should be a piece of cake.
